Ideas for solving the ‘native issue’

Last week, letters editor Paul Russell asked readers to solve Canada’s native issue — in 75 words or less.
Here are the some of the concise but brilliant ideas offered.

Stop calling it an ‘issue’

We will have to stop using inane, simplified, and misleading phrases like “the native issue.” Grace Lore, Vancouver.

Start by reframing the question. Is “resolving the native issue” any different than Duncan Campbell Scott’s infamous quest to “solve the Indian problem”? Scott answered with atrocious policies of cultural assimilation “to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question”. Interrogate how such imperial ‘questions’ operate ideologically. What is the native issue? What is Canada’s issue with natives? Brendan McCormack, Vancouver.

The first step toward resolving the native issue is an informed and engaged public. Interested Canadians should read the historical treaty documents between the Crown and Canada’s aboriginal peoples. They are not lengthy, nor are they written in impenetrable legal language. Those interested should also acquaint themselves with the text of the Indian Act. Read. Reflect. Form your opinions. Engage your MPs. Jonathan Skrimshire, Pincher Creek, Alta .

Before “the native issue” can be resolved, a majority of non-aboriginal Canadians should leave our usual complacency and apathy. We should not be idle in respect to the omnibus bill, but join with First Nations people in opposing what threatens the waters and lands we all share and should protect. Through co-operation, we might get past the “us and them” thinking among many citizens that allows inequity to go on. Carolyn Eaton, Petawawa, Ont.

Respect our First Nations with the full dignity their title signifies. Fulfill our covenantal responsibilities — the essence of our treaties. Moishe (Thomas) Goldstein, Toronto.

Take all the fat cat bureaucrats out of Ottawa and send them to native reserves to live for a year, eating the same food, experiencing the same education standards (or non-standards) and having no contact with the white world of Ottawa. Then, after the year, assemble them along with native leaders in a large forum and do not let anyone out until a “new deal” has been struck. In a sense, the last man standing wins. Bob Orrick, Richmond, B.C.

The pre-requisite to any reconciliation is the acknowledging of the historical truth. If Canada continues to follow Japan in denying its dark colonial history, then Canadians would be no better off than the majority in Japan who are unaware of Japan’s World War Two military atrocities. To save Canada’s soul, the Harper government will have the courage to acknowledge Canada’s colonial history towards indigenous nations. Bill Chu, chairman, Canadians For Reconciliation Society, Vancouver.

Violent action and even peaceful legal or illegal moves by both First Nations or government will do nothing for resolution — history has shown this adequately time and time again. However for a lasting solution there is only one word — negotiation. Barry Bloch, Thornhill, Ont.

Do not stop funding the aboriginal people, but do legislate where the funding is to be used. Government officials must travel to the reserves more often and speak with the people — not only the chief or band council. Calmly negotiate. Vardit Feldman, Toronto.

I would allow the natives of Canada to do what they are best at; managing our natural resources. Have them oversee our water resources first, and then allow the natives of this great country to manage our flora and fauna. They can only do better then what is being done now! John Paul Jackson, Elliot Lake, Ont.

Get rid of the chiefs

Their problems will only be resolved when the aboriginals themselves remove their fate from the moribund hands of “traditional” chiefs and elders, à la Theresa Spence, whose aspirations are mired in a failed way of life and elect young, intelligent, educated leaders who, while revering the traditions of their heritage, will replace the current hopelessness with a meaningful present and modern, worthwhile future within a co-operative, partnered Canada. Donald McKay, Calgary.

The solution to the native problem is as easy to describe as it is impossible for politicians to contemplate. Treaty Indians can’t own land but still have many rights that other Canadians don’t. Everyone is unhappy, but the chiefs. Award all people of X% native blood land grants. Enact extinguishment of native rights.” Grant communities startup cash. Help each band run their affairs. They decide what the chief’s salary is. If they want a chief. W.G. Whitney, St. Albert, Alta.

Time for tough love

Seventy-five words? Are you kidding? Most Canadian’s only need four words: Repeal the Indian Act! Bill Shumborski, Kelowna, B.C.

The government has to stop the cycle of First Nations’ dependency. The solution should not be through enforcing vague 250-year-old “agreements” between parties who no longer exist. We need drastic measures; the first should be to amend the Constitution so that aboriginal and treaty rights are more clearly defined and there is some kind of overriding democratic limitation on their practice. Chris VanSlyke, Elmsdale, N.S.

We could begin by giving the police a role — it could be their actual duty to tell protesters that if they do not get off the tracks they are barricading (where they have no legal business to be) they will get run over. Douglas Hendrickson, Camrose, Alta.

No exceptions allowed in fighting the soft bigotry of lowered expectations of First Nations People — this is the best way of dealing with the mess the First Nations People find themselves in. David W. Lincoln, Edmonton.

Aboriginals have been indoctrinated by their leadership into believing that they are entitled to be “maintained” in perpetuity by the largesse of the Canadian government. Let them establish indigenous sovereignty — but on their own dime. Acquiescence to their demands begets more demands. Extinguish all transfers and entitlements, let them make it, or not, on their own, and perhaps regain some measure of pride and self-respect. Morton Doran, Fairmont, B.C.

The solution is to appoint an independent accountant to examine the books and report his findings. Why is that so hard? Ed Wickens, Calgary.

As long as individual land ownership is opposed and the reserve system is adhered to, particularly in isolated areas, native people will continue to be dependent on money from Ottawa. Change is the answer, not money or endless meetings and empty words. Jeff Spooner, Kinburn, Ont.

A good place to start is to stop. Stop playing the victim card. It’s getting a bit frayed. Stop token mea culpas over how one community’s great-great grandparents were cruel and insensitive to another community’s great-great grandparents. Stop the blame game; as in, “my problems must be someone else’s fault.” Stop putting off the time when all Canadians have the same status, the same rights and responsibilities, the same privileges and obligations. Fraser Petrick, Kingston, Ont.

Time for assimilation

Historically, native Canadians have suffered and many now live in poverty and misery. But it is not racist, paternalistic or “acting from a position of privilege” to say we know how to solve these problems while preserving aboriginal culture. The solution is to do what so many other groups have done and join mainstream, multicultural Canadian society. Leave remote reserves and embrace private property and free enterprise. Alex Banks, Toronto,

Properly integrate natives into mainstream society. Remove them from the ghettoes called reservations. Give their children an education that will prepare the future leaders for the task of governing. Finally , discontinue treating them as second-class citizens, and educate non-native students about how badly we treated them when we took over this country. Noel Hershfield, Calgary,

I do not believe in the concept of “nations within a nation,” including Quebec. We resolve the native issue by abolishing all reservations, thus forcing all natives to integrate into the rest of Canadian society (as talented and ambitious natives have already done). Better to subsidize individual natives on the welfare (preferably workfare) rolls than collectively subsidize an entire population. Then if natives want to preserve their culture and religion, let them do it privately. Period. Lars Troide, Apple Hill, Ont.

It is ironic that, while secular humanists in Quebec and elsewhere want to remove all financial support from the Catholic church, many of these same humanists will scream if you attempt to remove natives from the public dole. Where’s the consistency? Then again, how many schools, charities and hospitals have the natives endowed? Abolish the reservations! Mercedes San Agustin, Apple Hill, Ont.

Integrate all peoples into society just like we expect immigrants to integret into Cdn soceity. Treaties are outdated and must be destroyed! Taxpayers cannot afford to support a growing number of non-contributing individuals. B. Martens, Edmonton.

Start with the elimination of guilt. This inherited relationship is not of our making. Assimilation is not genocide; it is evolutionary, progressive, positive and a desirable outcome that creates free-thinking, life-fulfilling citizens that will venerate their culture and heritage. I propose that “The National Indian Reconciliation Conference” creates, in one year, a modern relationship of shared responsibilities. Who would not want to participate in this joyous rebirth? Bill Whiteley, Toronto.

End the apartheid

I left South Africa 35 years ago because I opposed apartheid. Canada’s native legislation ultimately depends on the classification of people by race. This is not only stupid but immoral. All race classification should be abolished and all natives declared to be Canadians. In time they or their descendants will proudly answer to that designation. The is no alternative. Edmund Reid, Coquitlam, B.C.

End racial apartheid in Canada. We need to implement a system where your racial context is unnecessary and irrelevant to how the government treats you. The best solutions we can muster could then apply to all for a chance at equal results. If the law says otherwise, change the law. If the constitution supports apartheid, change the constitution. If a treaty impoverishes people, tear up the treaty. Don Gibson, Edmonton.

Although Canada’s natives and Israel’s haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) have two totally different cultures, there are some similarities between them. They both want to preserve their traditional way of life; many natives live in reserves, the insular haredim live segregated from other Jews, and there is high unemployment for both. The cash spigots of both the Canadian and Israeli governments are never shut off for both groups. The result: unaccountability, fraud and corruption. The solution: never mollycoddle any minority. Jacob Mendlovic, Toronto,

History lessons

In 1784, a vast tract of 4500 square miles extending west from the Niagara River was purchased from the Mississauga Indians. The cost came to one-tenth of a penny per acre, only a “trifling consideration” in Governor Haldimand’s opinion. Sadly, the Mississauga had no appreciation of the British concept of property ownership — they believed they were simply agreeing to share the use of the land. Enough said. Alun Hughes, Thorold, Ont.

Author Manly Wade Wellman travelled extensively through North America in the 1920s, recording the historical stories of indians. Practically every tribe had legends of older races of people — The Shonokins, The People of the Land, The First People, etc. — who were conquered by Indians. Present-day “natives” are descendents of invaders who killed other people and took their land! Paul Cerar, Toronto.

Radical solutions

Everyone marry an Indian. Section 6(2) of the Indian Act provides all offspring with status. Offspring marry each other in due course. Third generation offspring receive section 6(1) status. Now the Indian Act applies to everyone in Canada. Everyone has skin in the game. We all work together to be happy. Jerry Donaldson, Victoria.

The government should give all full-blooded Indians $1-million, tax free. People of mixed blood would receive a percentage of that, based upon their percentage of Indian blood. We then dissolve the Indian Act and the accompanying bureaucracy supporting it to cover the cost of the payout. Our newly enriched Indians will then pay regular taxes. This would bring to a close the perpetual laying of guilt on a general population who never oppressed anyone. Ian Scott, Cambridge, Ont.

The Queen in her Coronation robes, alongside both Houses of Parliament, proceed on foot to Victoria Island and bow very low before Theresa Spence and her consort. The Indian Act is torn up by the governor general and all treaties are declared abrogated by the minister of justice. After that, the prime minister is guillotined on parliament hill. Jeannie L’Esperance, Ottawa.

Give them lots and lots of money, it’s not like we conquered their land and all but ruined their culture, is it? Julian Binder, Toronto.

There’s no hope

I fear that the First Nations issue will never be resolved. In the Jan. 10 National Post, seven out of 11 pages carried an item on aboriginal-related matters, two pages in their entirety and half the letters. And I’ve been reading about it off-and-on for 54 years. Not the stuff of which optimism is made for signs of any radical improvement. Malcolm Bell, Lions Bay, B.C.

Online extras

In short, following the recommendations of the now-shelved five-year, five million dollar investigative report of the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples would be a good starting point to resolving the native issue. Our government’s out-dated, top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to policy-making for Aboriginal people continues to be the major stumbling block. This is not democracy nor is it respectful of their inherent rights as landholders who made treaties with the Crown, not it’s subjects. Jennifer Asimoudis, Ancaster, Ont.

We’ve proved ad infinitum throwing more billions of dollars at natives is a folly the country should cease. Instead, let’s say that everyone should live under one Canadian set of laws. This approach has only one requirement: Politicians with guts. Graham Gilmour, Burlington, Ont.

We must have 100% financial transparency and compliance with GAP for all reserves to gain support from Canadian taxpayers, since we pay the bills. Find a way to provide native natural resources development and enterprises that cultivate native independence, not dependence. The only immediate goal is simply to end the indescribable physical and mental abuse and poverty that occurs every day on many reserves. Barry Thatcher, Calgary.

The very fact that the Attawapiskat First Nations led by Theresa Spence are supported by groups who admit that they are lazy, calling themselves “Idle No More,” ought to be a wake-up call for all Provincial and federal governments to put an end to funding their reserves. If First Nations are really serious about self-government, they should ponder the words of the late CCF and NDP MP Douglas Fisher who rightfully said, “No independence is genuine, if it depends on being kept by others.” John Clubine, Toronto.

It is very simple. Go to New Zealand, see how they did it, and do something similar here. Obviously, most of the wealthy chiefs governing over the masses in poverty will do everything in their power to oppose the above proposal. George Klein, Toronto.

Any solution to the dilemmas faced by First Nations people must be acceptable, not just to the chiefs and elders, but to the burgeoning population of aboriginal youth. Recently, on CBC’s The National, two younger-generation spokespeople, Wab Kinew and Gabrielle Scrimshaw, more than held their own with University of Calgary’s scrappily conservative Tom Flanagan. Like many other groups of disaffected Canadians, First Nations Canadians recognize that Parliament has been rendered impotent by flimflam techniques such as Omnibus bills, which impact so many issues without ever even coming to formal debate. Ron Charach, Toronto.

The answer lies with native youth. They should focus “Idle No More’ on making their leaders more accountable. Most are stuck in the past. They disparage the Indian Act, but resist change. First Nation leaders complain they are not children, yet they whine like them, demanding more dependency, spending good money after bad. Maybe their children can explain it to them better than the rest of us. Maybe they can lead their families into the future. Cathy Fried.

Numbers do not lie, nor are they racist. There is no emotion in a balance sheet. I hope that aboriginal people heed their “Idle No More” philosophy and demand answers from their leaders in regards to their finances as well as asking the government to respect treaty rights. For me at least, it would grant the movement a huge amount of credibility if they were willing to look inwards as well as outwards for a better future. Shari MacDonald, Newmarket, Ont.

Resolution of the native issue calls for the immediate termination of the Indian Act for a multitude of obvious reasons, not the least of which is the shameless politically incorrect title. Despite the Canadian government’s noble intentions, it is time to acknowledge the untold havoc that has been wrought by trying to artificially sustain a dead culture. More money cannot compensate this once proud people for the loss of human dignity, already suffered, as the victim of our inept benevolence. Betty L. Reade, Oakville, Ont.

When those consulted assume they have the power of a veto, then we have a problem. Three per cent of the population cannot dictate the terms for the rest of us. Creating a divisive society by conferring special status results in unfairness, even at the provincial level.
J.M. Leonn, Leamington, Ont.

I think the federal government should remove itself from native affairs, similar to its disassociation in provincial affairs as directed in the BNA Act. One would expect that the federal civil service and politicians have their hands full running the broad issues of national government. For most Canadian citizens, the provinces and territories have jurisdictions in health, education and resources; with the exception of native land and its people. The provinces and territories must accept accountability for all of its peoples. The feds have to let go. Mark Soehner, Calgary.

The fundamental issues are about power and wealth. Aboriginal leaders and their constituents want more power and more wealth. But arguing for more power and wealth on the basis of past injustices and insults may be insufficient to preserve their peoples, especially in tiny, isolated communities. A sustainable future for aboriginal peoples needs to be shifted to the provincial level where social services may be provided on par with other non-aboriginal residents. D.B. Wilson, Port Moody, B.C.

Grasp the diseased (nettle or serpent) firmly. Self-respect and dignity are found in the work ethic and not in mythological ancestral rights. An immediate Citizenship Act with only one class of Canadian Citizen, ( no “First” (a lawyer’s invention), no Last),, either by birth or following landed immigrant in good standing. Replace Indian/Métis/Aboriginal/Northern and all other racist Affairs, with lay committees awarding free-hold land grants to residents, generous resettlement allowances, and no more wilderness support except for emergency rescue. A celebration completed by and for 2017. Arnold Guetta, Ottawa.

The politics may be complex but the solution is simple. Follow the example of human and animal parents through the ages. Provide, through adolescence, nurturing support and educational opportunities and reacquaint them with their lost tradition of self-reliance. Provide a one-time choice between communal and individual ownership of land. Fund the transition on a declining balance over no more than two generations. Apply all laws equally. Gary Valcour, Oshawa, Ont.

The government can give Indians a means of livelihood so that they can thrive and prosper. Canada can grant them subsidies so that they can build factories to manufacture cigarettes, which they can sell at heavily discounted prices. The government should not seize tobacco from the Indians. Alex Sotto, Montreal.

Perhaps the Canadian government should help divert some resources to create native-centric community centres in larger cities and provide incentives and support for anyone wanting to move there in terms of housing, special education for the kids if they need extra help, etc. A major city like Toronto can work with the native community to create an annual festival promoting their culture. Munish Dhanker, Markham, Ont.

The media seem set on deciding the “rights” and “wrongs” of the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the various levels of government. Instead we should agree on a goal, then focus on the common ground of health and well-being. Identify basic needs, rather than egocentric wants. Provide knowledge as well as infrastructure. Respect difference without judgment. Is this so difficult to achieve? Nicki Garwood, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

We control only one thing in our lives — ourselves. Let First Nations leaders and federal officials deal with the complexities of resolving major issues and barriers facing those who are recognized as “Indians.” In our daily lives, each of us must take responsibility for our own actions. This does not preclude working with others toward broader change. When we blame external factors for our personal plight no matter how real or relevant, we lose every time. Jim Sanders, Guelph, Ont.

An effective way to destroy people is to destroy self-esteem, a major source of which is being productive, self-reliant individuals. Doing so in the name of cultural preservation is obscene. The Indian Act was an evil policy–an act of official racism in Canada–that should be rescinded. Native land should be divided up and given to individual natives for private ownership. Natives should henceforth be Canadian citizens like everyone else, with no special status. Glenn Woiceshyn, Calgary.

Governments have been trying to come up with an answer to the native issue for years, only each time, they have come up short. There is only one solution to this problem to avoid further frustration, sweep it under the rug. Alex Taylor, Toronto.

The real “issue” is that natives in this country are treated better than non-natives with gargantuan buckets of tax money shovelled into their chiefs’ (and reserve residents’) pockets for doing nothing. Ask your university-aged kid if the aboriginal sitting beside him or her deserves a free post-secondary education. Step One: Abolish the Indian Act. Step Two: Quit giving them money for nothing. Lorne Peasland, Victoria.

Canada has changed significantly since the native treaties were written. The treaties are outdated and need reworking. We must strike a direction whereby on a specific phased in date the goal is that all Canadians (including natives) are treated equally with respect to land ownership, taxes, the law, education and employment opportunities, etc. We are a democratic society and I believe the majority would vote for a Canada where we are all equal. Neil Clark, Grimsby, Ont.

The time has come to consider the reformation of Canada as one nation and one people from coast-to-coast, with one law for all, and one official language. Let us, as equal and worthy individuals with the maturity to rise above traditional divisions and historical conflicts, have the courage to embrace a new understanding of Canada. Iain G. Foulds, Spruce Grove, Alta.

If our native people were to respect education, relocate to find sustainable jobs,
release the government and taxpayers from paying for past sins, reinvent themselves
as contemporary 21st century Canadian citizens contributing to our collective societies,
then perhaps they would be rewarded with responsibility for themselves, their lifestyle, their homes,
and become… idle no more. Pat Carswell, Sechelt, B.C.

It’s time for Stephen Harper to lead, not just manage. Ban omnibus budget bills you once called undemocratic. Your “back door”changes to major environmental and native laws with nominal debate or consultation have greatly exacerbated the present situation. Lose the “do as I say, not as I do”attitude by delivering open, transparent and accountable government. Canadians must stop sitting on their hands. Demand accountability from everyone spending our tax dollars. Silent No More. Doug Haslam, Stratford, Ont.

It’s but folly for Canadian taxpayers, a.k.a. Ottawa, to throw billions of dollars at Canada’s aboriginal communities in distress as long as such communities’ have chiefs like the Attawapiskat nation’s Theresa Spence and council members who conspicuously refuse to allow Ottawa know where all the monies are being efficiently spent by the said aboriginal-community government leader or certain (if not all) government members. Such stubbornness, political or legal, on the part of aboriginal leaders does little more than raise Canadians’ suspicions of possible nepotism occurring – if not outright corruption — all the while the vast-majority, low-income community members have no way to be sure that they’re being treated fairly fiscally by their chief and councillors. Frank G. Sterle, Jr., White Rock, B.C.

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